Uber? Lyft? What You Need To Know About Ride Sharing Related Accidents
The popularity of ride-sharing services, such as Lyft and Uber, have provided pedestrians alternative transportation to get to their destination. While ride share services may offer an inexpensive and convenient way for people to get around Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, they also pose certain risks.
Unlike taxis, which are heavily regulated at the city and county levels, rideshare services fall under the newly created category of “transportation network companies“. They therefore evade much of the strict scrutiny that cab companies receive.
As we all know, accidents can happen. In these rare instances it can get complicated and confusing if your “ride” ends up in a collision with another driver or pedestrian. What happens if you’re struck by one of these ride-sharing cars while operating your own vehicle? Not only do you need to understand your rights as a victim, it’s important to have an attorney that understands this type of case.
How is being in an Uber, Lyft, or other ride-sharing accident different from other vehicle accidents?
- Drivers that offer their services are not considered employees of the companies connecting them to passengers. The insurance policy of the driver is the first place to turn for compensation, but the more popular ride-sharing companies also carry their own policy.
- Ride sharing services have done their part to escape the blame in most cases by defining their companies as technology providers rather than being transportation-based.
- Contact information is almost impossible to find if you need to get in touch with a representative of a ride sharing company regarding an accident. Their solution is to discourage complaints by making it difficult to effectively communicate with a real person.
- It took more than one significant accident for these companies to change their policy on covering drivers between trips with passengers. Once enough people stood up to voice their concerns, action was taken to define certain coverage amounts to protect drivers.
- You have a right to collect on the insurance policy of the driver as well as any policies held by the company itself if involved in an accident with an Uber or Lyft driver. Even if you were in your private vehicle or struck as an unprotected pedestrian, an attorney can get compensation.
A normal car accident is stressful enough without considering the special circumstances of a ride sharing service. You may be able to collect more than one settlement in this type of case with the assistance of our determined team of attorneys. If you or someone that you care about has been hurt in an accident involving a driver providing ride-sharing services, we are happy to set up a consultation as soon as you complete our contact form.
